The Khadial Mahotsav, the annual mega event of Khariar town, will be held in February. It will be a five- day event from February 5 to 9.
About 40 troupes from Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana will perform at nights during the Mahotsav. Apart from this, about 80 troupes from Khariar and neighborhood areas would also participate in the afternoon shows. Traditional folk dances like Badhai of Bundelkhand region, which is popular on the occasions of the birth, marriage and festivals, Naurata dance, performed by unmarried girls of Bundelkhand region as they seek help from god for a good husband and conjugal bliss, Bihu of Assam, which marks the advent of spring and the Assamese New Year, Ghumar, performed by the girls of border areas of Rajasthan and Haryana at various festivals like Holi, Gangaur Puja and Teej will be performed by the artists.
The festival is organised every year since 2005 with active participation of local people. Initially, it was a three-day event, but looking at the overwhelming support of local people and interest of cultural troupes for performance, the event was expanded to five days. "In due course of time, the Mahotsav has become a platform for display of cultural diversity and richness of India," said organising committee president Jitendra Pattnaik. "The expenditure for the Mahotsav, which may touch about Rs 30 lakh this year will be met from collection of contributions from public and hiring of spaces for Mina Bazaar," informed committee advisor Adhiraj Panigrahi.
Over the years, the Mahotsav has become a pride for the people of Khariar.
It provides an opportunity to the people of the area to know about the cultural forms of different Indian States and at the same time allows the artists of our area to show their talents," said culture lover Harekrishna Panda.